IN THE DARK

**jbman45** · 01-05-2010, 08:55 PM

That's part of the fun of the forum, get's ya thinking a bit not only about what you don't know....but about what you think you know! It's a lot of fun and we have a great number of contributors that are very knowledgeable and are willing to help. The forum has really taken off lately and I'm really glad to see all the activity.

**SICFabrications** · 08-29-2010, 09:47 AM

nitrogen is used for high definition plasma.... it is more stable and will have a far less moisture content... for you cnc guys, i would seriously consider switching over to nitrogen and just see how much better your machine will do.... use less amps, tips will last a ton longer, less dross, far better cut quality...

the plasma machines of old ran on nitrogen, until the red-necked version of using compressed air came around to make it more affrordable for the common man...lol...

**Bluesman** · 08-29-2010, 04:43 PM

My head hurts after reading this here thread.

**tigqk** · 02-01-2011, 03:18 AM

Their are alot of shops(garages) that have nitrogen for filling tires and use with plasma cutters but argon as a few have already said would be very expensive, and for this reason it is not used, but being inert would work.I have not tried but wonder if it would be cleaner because it would not be reactive like air.

**Charley Davidson** · 02-01-2011, 09:20 AM

Thanks Stan, I just had to erase 45 minutes of hunt & peck typing cause I seen your reply

**brucer** · 02-09-2011, 10:12 PM

you could use a generator to run the compressor and a 110v plasma at the same time, maybe even a 220v plasma. depending on the generators output of course.... i know my 6800watt generator would run my 220v/15 amp compressor and a 110v/20amp bluepoint plasma cutter..

**INSANITY** · 02-16-2011, 06:41 PM

Rather than paying to fill and refill some compressed cylinder, why don't you just invest in a small portable pancake compressor?
You already need electric in the field to run the plasma so just plug in a portable comp. too!

Aaron

**SICFabrications** · 02-16-2011, 08:29 PM

an old friend bought a high dollar engine driven welder from a big name company (the blue one) and ran a compressor and a plasma at the same time...... he ultimately burned the welder up.... what you have to understand is start up wattage.... so, the compressor draws say 6k running watts and the plasma draws 4k running.... well, a 10k gen set should cover it yeah? nope... that compressor will draw 10k watts to get the motor spinning, then drop down to the lower wattage, same with any machine, whether it be rotary or inductive. you can and will overload a gen set quickly if ya dont pay attention to starting amps. if a 10k will do it, then a 15k will burn less fuel and never get hurt kinda thing...

if you end up doing alot of plasma work or CAC for that matter in the field, then a seperate engine driven compressor or a seperate gen set just for the compressor will save muchly on repair and maintenance, but cost more in fuel...